Phone mast plans near three Colchester schools set to be approved

Phone mast plans near three Colchester schools set to be approved

A CAMPAIGNING teacher has spoken of her despair after plans for a phone mast near three schools and a nursery were recommended for approval.

Vodafone and Telefonica want to site a 12.5m tall mast in the heart of a residential area at the junction of Lexden Road and Sanders Avenue, Lexden.

The communications companies insist the mast is vital for boosting reception in the area - but ever, the application has created a fierce backlash.

The site is within a few hundred yards of Colchester County High School for Girls, St Benedict’s College, St Mary’s School and Lexden Kindergarten and more than 450 objections have been sent to Colchester Council.

Many are from parents of students at the school who have raised concerns over the possible health risks related to living or studying near phone masts.

However, the council can only judge the application on its siting and appearance and officers have recommended the plans for approval.

Teresa Fox, head of careers at Colchester County High School for Girls, appealed to councillors to stand firm when they consider the application on Thursday.

She said four previous applications had been dismissed over the past decade - and she hoped this one would be too.

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